Arab and other leaders have travelled to Doha to offer condolences to Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim following the death of his father, Sheikh Hamad, in a show of solidarity with the Gulf state and the ruling Al Thani family.
Among those received by Sheikh Tamim at Lusail Palace were UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah, Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. Other officials and delegations also visited to pay their respects.
President Sheikh Mohamed also conveyed the UAE's condolences in a phone call with Sheikh Tamim, state news agency Wam reported on Monday.
It said Sheikh Mohamed "expressed his sincere condolences" on the passing of Sheikh Hamad. The President also "extended his condolences to the Al Thani family, praying that God grant the deceased eternal peace and provide strength and comfort to his loved ones".
The visitors expressed their condolences over the death of Sheikh Hamad, who ruled Qatar from 1995 until abdicating in favour of his son in 2013 and is widely credited with transforming the country into an influential diplomatic and economic power.
Condolence receptions are expected to continue over the coming days. More foreign leaders and royal representatives from the Gulf, the wider Arab world and beyond are expected to attend or send delegations to pay their respects. Several world leaders have already offered their condolences.
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Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, is received by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim as leaders and officials offer condolences after the death of former emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Reuters -
Bahrain's King Hamad and Sheikh Tamim at Lusail Palace. AFP -
Sheikh Tamim receives Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara at Lusail Palace in Doha. Reuters -
Sheikh Tamim with Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who is among the figures to offer condolences in Qatar. AFP -
Sheikh Tamim receives condolences from Shihab Al Said, Oman's Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs. AFP -
Sheikh Tamim receives condolences from Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu in Doha. AFP -
Sheikh Tamim shakes hands with Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, Prime Minister of Libya's Government of National Unity. AFP -
Sheikh Tamim receives condolences from Nechirvan Barzani, President of Iraq's Kurdistan region. AFP -
Sheikh Tamim receives condolences from Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following the death of Sheikh Hamad. AFP -
Sheikh Tamim receives condolences from Rwanda's President Paul Kagame. Sheikh Hamad's death at the age of 74 was announced by Qatar on July 13. AFP -
Sheikh Tamim receives condolences from Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Sheikh Hamad led Qatar from 1995 to 2013. AFP -
Sheikh Tamim shakes hands with a foreign delegate as he receives condolences following the death of his father, Sheikh Hamad. Reuters -
Sheikh Tamim receives mourners at Lusail Palace. Sheikh Hamad came to power in 1995. Reuters -
Mourners wait to offer condolences to Sheikh Tamim after the death of his father. AFP
Sheikh Hamad, who died on Sunday at the age of 74, reshaped Qatar during his 18 years in power, overseeing the expansion of its liquefied natural gas industry and establishing the country's modern foreign policy. His rule also took in the launch of Al Jazeera, major investments through the Qatar Investment Authority and preparations that culminated in Qatar hosting the 2022 Fifa World Cup.
His funeral was held on Sunday after the late afternoon prayer. His body was laid to rest at Lusail Cemetery, north of Doha.
Tributes for Sheikh Hamad continued to come in on Monday. Saudi Arabi's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke to Sheikh Tamim by phone to offer condolences, Saudi official media said.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the former emir as a respected leader who dedicated many years of service to Qatar and "whose legacy will endure both in Qatar and beyond". He said Sheikh Hamad’s leadership "will be remembered for its vision, wisdom, and selfless commitment to his country".
His decision to hand power to Sheikh Tamim in 2013 marked one of the rare voluntary transfers of leadership in the Gulf. Since then, Sheikh Tamim has maintained Qatar's active regional and international diplomatic role, including mediation efforts in conflicts in the Middle East. The mourning period has reflected Sheikh Hamad's influence on Qatar's rise as a regional power and his enduring legacy in the Gulf.
The Amiri Diwan declared four days of national mourning beginning on Sunday. Flags will fly at half-mast across the country throughout the mourning period.
Work will be suspended in ministries, government agencies and public institutions from Monday, while official celebrations and public festivities are expected to be halted during the mourning period, in line with state protocol.
A funeral prayer for Sheikh Hamad was held after sunset on Sunday at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd Al Wahhab Mosque, Qatar's grand state mosque in Doha.
Opened in 2011, the mosque can accommodate about 30,000 worshippers and regularly hosts the nation's most significant religious occasions, including Friday and Eid prayers, as well as state funerals and official ceremonies attended by members of the ruling family.
The mourning period and visits come as the Gulf faces the return of hostilities between the US and Iran. In recent days, Qatar has sounded security alerts for the first time in months and responded to missiles and drones fired from Iran. Three people including a child were wounded by falling debris.
Iran has been in contact with Qatar, Oman and Pakistan in recent days as efforts continue to prevent further escalation in the region, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said.
